Anatomy & Physiology Terms; Nervous System

What is the Nervous System?

Allows communication between the brain and our body so that we can interact with the environment

What are the broad divisions of the Nervous System?

Anatomical and Physiological

What are the sub-divisions of the Anatomic Division?

Central Nervous System & Peripheral Nervous System

What is included in the Central Nervous System?

The brain and spinal cord

What system includes all the structures housed within the bones of the skull and vertebral column?

The Central Nervous System

What is considered the brain?

Everything above the foramen magnum (the circular opening at the base of the skull)

How many hemispheres does the brain have?

Two, left and right

What are the structures of the brain?

two hemispheres, brain stem, cerebellum, basal ganglia, diencephalon, thalamus

What does the spinal cord do?

connects the brain with the rest of the body

What is included in the Peripheral Nervous System?

12 cranial nerves, 31 spinal nerves, and sensory receptors

What is the purpose of the Peripheral Nervous System?

Links the body to the outside world through motor and sensory pathways

What nerves are within the brain?

The first two cranial nerves

- 1 Olfactory Nerve

- 2 Optic Nerve

What nerves are on the brain stem?

The 3rd-12th

Where do the pairs of spinal nerves go along?

31 pairs of spinal nerves go along the vertebrae

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

8 pairs

How many thoracic vertebrae are there?

12 pairs

How many lumbar vertebrae are there?

5 pairs

How many sacral vertebrae are there?

5 pairs

How many coccygeal vertebrae are there?

1

What are sensory receptors?

nerve endings that respond to sensory information and send information back up to the brain

What are the sub-divisions of the Physiological Division?

Autonomic Nervous System and Somatic Nervous System

What are other names for the Autonomic Nervous System?

Visceral or Involuntary Nervous System

What type of muscles are associated with the Autonomic Nervous System?

Smooth Muscle (non-striated) like the heart and respiratory

What systems are associated with the Autonomic Nervous System?

the systems that happen automatically (pupil dilation, breathing, increase heart rate)

What are the the additional divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

What is the sympathetic nervous system?

"Fight or flight" (increase energy)

What is the parasympathetic nervous system?

"Rest and digest" (conserves energy)

Why are the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems important?

Yen and Yang allow balance and harmony within our bodies

What is the Somatic Nervous System?

system that controls the body's skeletal muscles dealing with the body, limbs, and skin but not the organs

Is the somatic nervous system voluntary or involuntary?

Controls conscious and voluntary functions

Motor pathways are a part of which nervous system division?

the somatic nervous system

How does the Somatic Nervous System function?

Functions through the cranial nerves and spinal nerves

What are the additional sub-divisions of the Somatic Nervous System?

Pyramidal and Extrapyramidal Systems

What are the Pyramidal and Extrapyramidal systems within?

Are within the anatomical parts of the CNS and help control our skeletal movements and muscles

Where does the Pyramidal System originate?

Arises from the motor area of the cerebral cortex

What is the Pyramidal system associated with?

Motor Tracts

Why is the Pyramidal System called Pyramidal?

Because it is associated with pyramids of the Medulla and associated with Pyramid Cells which are within the layers of the brain (cerebral cortex)

What is the Extrapyramidal System also known as?

the indirect system

Why is the Extrapyramidal system indirect?

It does not pass through the pyramids of the medulla

What is the the Extrapyramidal system associated with?

Associated with the brain stem, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and thalamus

What does the Extrapyramidal system do?

helps regulate, coordinate, modulate our movements (perfect them)

How much does the adult brain weigh?

3 pounds

What is the brain enclosed within?

The cranium/skull

What is the most organized structure in our body?

The brain

What is the largest structure of the nervous system?

The brain

How many cells are in the brain?

more than 100 billion cells

What are nerve cells called?

Neurons

What are non-nervous cells called?

Glial Cells

What does the brain do?

initiates, monitors, and regulates the bodies actions and reactions by sending out motor commands, receiving sensory information, analyzing it and responding

What is the brain made of?

grey and white matter

Where is the grey matter located?

Outer portion of the brain in the cerebral cortex

What is the majority of the brain composed of?

white matter

What is grey matter associated with?

with a nerve's soma (body) and dendrite

What is white matter associated with?

with a nerve's axon

What is deep grey matter?

Diencephalon, thalamus, and basal ganglia

Diencephalon which includes the thalamus

What is #2

The Basal Ganglia

What is #3

The Brain Stem

What is #4-6

What are Broadman's areas?

Regions of the brain that have been numbered based on structure and organization of the cells

Anatomy

the study of the structure of the organism

Physiology

the study of the function of the organism and its parts

Applied or Clinical Anatomy

the applying of anatomical study for diagnosis and treatment of disease

Descriptive or Systemic anatomy

the description of individual parts without reference to disease conditions. Sees the body as a composite of systems that function together

Gross Anatomy

studies structures that are visible to the eye

Microscopic Anatomy

studies structures not seen without a microscope

Developmental Anatomy

describes the development of the organism from conception to adulthood

Pathological Anatomy

when the view is from a disease standpoint

Thorax

Chest

Abdomen

Stomach

Trunk or Torso

The thorax and abdomen

Dorsal Trunk

Back

Pelvis

Hip bone

Cranium

The skull and it houses the brain

Upper Extremity

the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand

Lower Extremity

thigh, leg, ankle, and foot

Anatomical Position

a body standing erect with palms, arms, and hands face forward

Frontal or Coronal Plane

front view of a body divided into front and back section

Midsagittal Section

dividing the body in left and right halves

Transverse Section

Divide the body into upper and lower halves

Anterior or Ventral

Front surface of body

Posterior or Dorsal

Back surface of the body

Rostral

toward the head

Caudal

away from the head

Superficial

confined to the surface

Deep

means it is closer to the axis than another structure or away from the surface

Distal

away from the midline or abduction (legs)

Medial

toward the midline or adduction (arms)

Superior

above or farther from the ground

Inferior

below or closer to the ground

Lateral

related to the side

Flexion

bending at a joint usually toward the ventral surface or surfaces come together, such as a sit-up

Extension

pulling apart, completing a sit-up (laying back down)

Hyperextension or Dorsiflexion

Arching of the back

Plantar

Sole of the foot

Plantar grasp reflex

when the sole of the foot is stimulated and the toes "grasp"

Palmar

the palm of the hand or ventral surface (dorsal back of hand)

Palmar Grasp

flexing of the fingers to grasp when palm is stimulated

Cells that form the structures involved in speech and hearing

muscle cells, nerve cells, and bone cells

Tissues combine to form larger structures; the tissued that makeup the structures of the body are?

epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissue

Epithelial

superficial outer layer, these constitute the skin. This tissue lacks material between cells or little intercellular matter. This absence allows these cells to form a tightly packed sheet of protective quality.